Can veneers be put on top of existing crowns?

[Chen]

Hi

I have four front crowns which were done about 20 years ago and as they have aged, the rest of my teeth have changed colour and these crowns now look different to the rest of my teeth.

I would like to know if there is a way to remove the outside surface of these crowns and place new veneers/lumineers on them and leave the base of the crowns as it is because the base seems to be very solid and held up well for so long?

Is this something that can be done or would I be better off getting all of the crowns replaced with new ones? Hoe much would it cost to get my four crowns resurfaced with veneers?

[Dr Vahid Motahar]

Hi,

Thank you for your question.

veneers can be put on top of exisitng crowns but the question is is it the correect choice of treatment.

We can shave a little and roughen the surface of the existing crown porcelain and then cover them with lumineers and cement them with a special cement. But if you have crowns that have been there for 20 years, the maginal fit of the existing crowns may not as good as they where when placed and one has to examine these crowns and see whether it is more suitable to replace the crowns or resurface them with lumineers. Crowns on average are expected to last between 7-10 years on average. There is also a higher risk of veneers coming off the crowns than veneers cemented on natural teeth.

Cost wise each lumineer cost £495 and each crown the starting price is £395 and goes up to £545 depending on the type and quality of the crown.